Donald Trump’s first few days back in office have been a whirlwind of swift action and bold decisions, leaving Washington, D.C., reeling. Even with only five days under his belt, the Republican president has already demonstrated his trademark speed and tenacity in imposing his will on the federal government, pushing forward with what many see as radical shifts in policy. For Trump, the mission has been clear: reshape Washington into an administration that aligns with his vision and values, and do so fast.
From the outset, Trump has focused on fulfilling his campaign promise of overhauling a bureaucracy that he believes was resistant to him during his first term (2017-2021). His administration has already begun a major shake-up, starting with the removal of hundreds of civil servants. This move, impacting multiple agencies, marks an aggressive start to Trump’s pledge to drain the so-called swamp of bureaucratic resistance.
But Trump hasn’t just focused on the federal workforce. The military has also been thrust into action. Within the first few days, troops were sent to the southern border, and the head of the U.S. Coast Guard was dismissed. These actions illustrate Trump’s unflinching approach to reshaping key sectors of government. Perhaps most controversially, he pardoned around 1,500 of his supporters who participated in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The Capitol, of course, remains one of the most recognized symbols of American democracy.
Trump’s audacious start hasn’t gone unnoticed. His allies are comparing his swift and aggressive approach to a special forces raid, catching many by surprise. The rapid-fire executive orders—26 issued in the span of just a few hours—cover everything from environmental regulations to controversial changes to America’s citizenship rules. All of this reflects years of preparation, thanks to conservative groups who spent much of Trump’s time out of office drafting policy proposals. These plans have now been quickly put into action, catching even the most seasoned observers off guard.
Steve Bannon, who served as Trump’s White House chief strategist, sees this early stage as the moment the “beachhead team” takes over. For Bannon and others close to Trump, this marks the beginning of a significant transformation in how the federal government operates, with loyalists moving into critical roles.
Yet, not everyone is cheering these moves. Trump’s critics are already raising alarms. They argue that his executive orders—particularly those targeting constitutional precedents—push the limits of executive power far beyond what was intended by the framers of the U.S. Constitution. For many, his actions signal that he is more interested in radically altering the country than in finding common ground. Critics point to the pardoning of the January 6 rioters as an example of Trump seeking revenge rather than focusing on unifying the nation.
One of the most talked-about early moves was Trump’s stripping of security clearances from former intelligence officials who had linked negative media reports about Hunter Biden to Russian influence efforts. Additionally, Trump cut off security details for former national security officials, even as credible threats from Iran loomed. This purge also extended to the National Security Council, where Trump’s team removed several career officials who were seen as insufficiently loyal. These shifts allow Trump to install loyalists into over 100 national security roles, further consolidating his control.
“Trump clearly doesn’t forget a grudge,” remarked William Galston, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. With more than four decades of experience in government, Galston is keenly aware of the long-term impact of such moves. The sheer speed and scope of these actions are remarkable—and indicative of Trump’s willingness to quickly shift the balance of power within the federal government.
Even many of Trump’s political opponents are forced to admit that the early days of his second term represent a sharp contrast to his first term. Back in 2017, infighting and lack of preparation marred many of his initiatives. This time, however, Trump’s team has shown extraordinary preparedness, allowing him to act decisively.
Historians and political analysts, such as Timothy Naftali, note the striking difference in pace and scope between Trump’s first and second terms. “This is the result of years of preparation,” Naftali explains. Indeed, many of Trump’s policies align closely with the goals of "Project 2025," a coalition of conservative organizations that spent more than two years drafting policy proposals in anticipation of Trump’s return to the White House.
Trump had distanced himself from the project in 2024, claiming ignorance about it, despite the fact that many of his former aides were heavily involved. Regardless of his stance, however, the influence of Project 2025 on his current administration is undeniable. One of the proposals put forth by the project was the purging of career officials at the National Security Council, something Trump has already moved forward with.
Another key proposal from Project 2025 that Trump has embraced is the creation of a new class of federal employees called “Schedule F.” This policy would make it easier to fire potentially hundreds of thousands of civil servants, consolidating Trump’s power even further. Trump has also discussed overhauling FEMA, in line with the Project 2025 proposal to shift many of its responsibilities to the states.
The early success of these initiatives isn’t just the result of Trump’s own leadership; it’s a product of the hard work and dedication of his allies, who have been strategizing for his return to power since 2021. “You’re seeing the fruits of years of work,” Bannon says, acknowledging that the team behind Trump’s comeback has been tireless in their efforts.
However, Trump’s momentum may soon face significant obstacles. Despite the aggressive start to his second term, some of Trump’s actions have already been met with legal challenges. His executive orders, particularly those targeting constitutional doctrines like birthright citizenship, have been temporarily blocked by federal courts. And given the current political climate, these legal battles may drag on for much of his term.
Furthermore, Trump’s ability to push through his agenda could face roadblocks in Congress. His party holds a slim majority in the House of Representatives, and history suggests that the party of a sitting president tends to lose seats in the midterm elections. If the Republicans lose control of the House in 2026, Trump’s ability to pass legislation could be severely limited.
Yet, Trump’s advisers remain confident in his political mandate. “He has a decisive mandate from the American voters,” says Mike Davis, a close Trump ally. But that mandate may only last as long as Trump can deliver results—especially as the clock ticks down toward the next election cycle.
In conclusion, the first five days of Trump’s second term have been nothing short of explosive. His rapid-fire actions have set the stage for a potentially dramatic transformation of the federal government. Whether this momentum can be sustained remains to be seen, but Trump’s opening moves have already left an indelible mark on Washington. The future will tell whether he can maintain this momentum or whether the road ahead will be paved with political and legal challenges. For now, however, one thing is certain: Donald Trump is back, and he’s hitting the ground running.
Login